Navy Federal CD rates cover terms from three months to seven years, and membership is limited to the military community. A standard 12-month CD currently pays 3.70% APY, while the 12-month Special EasyStart pays 4.00% APY on balances up to $3,000. We update these rates weekly from Navy Federal’s own rate page.
Navy Federal Credit Union CDs at a glance
- Top rate
- 4.00% APY on a 12-month Special EasyStart CD
- Terms
- 3 months to 7 years
- Minimum deposit
- $50 (varies by CD)
- CD types
- Standard, Special rate
- Early withdrawal penalty
- 90 to 365 days of dividends, by term
- Insurance
- NCUA, up to $250,000
- Membership
- Armed forces, Department of Defense, veterans and their families
Rates checked Sep 17, 2026 against Navy Federal Credit Union's own rate page. We check weekly and accept no paid placements.
- Membership is open to the armed forces, Department of Defense employees, veterans and their families.
- Standard CDs require $1,000 to open, with no maximum, and pay slightly more at $100,000 and above.
- The Special EasyStart pays 4.00% APY as of Sep 17, 2026, but it is capped at $3,000 and requires a Navy Federal checking account with direct deposit.
- For comparison, the FDIC national average on a 12-month CD is 1.71% APY.
Navy Federal CD rates today
Navy Federal offers three CDs (it calls them certificates): a Standard CD funded with a single deposit, an EasyStart CD you can add to over time, and a small Special EasyStart promotion. Each has its own table below.
| Term | APY | Min deposit | Rate last changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-month | 1.25% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 12-month | 3.70% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 18-month | 3.80% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 2-year | 3.50% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 3-year | 3.80% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 5-year | 3.50% APY | $1,000 | – |
| 7-year | 3.50% APY | $1,000 | – |
| Term | APY | Min deposit | Rate last changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-month | 3.66% APY | $50 | – |
| 18-month | 3.55% APY | $50 | – |
| 2-year | 3.45% APY | $50 | – |
| Term | APY | Min deposit | Rate last changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-month | 4.00% APY | $50 | – |
A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.
Where the rate depends on your balance, the table shows the tier that includes $25,000. Rate last changed is the as-of date of the first week we saw the current rate; a dash means it hasn't changed since we started tracking it. Deposits at federally insured credit unions are insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per member, per ownership category.
Navy Federal’s three CD options
- Standard CD. Terms run from three months to seven years with a $1,000 minimum and no maximum balance. Rates step up modestly for deposits of $100,000 or more.
- EasyStart CD. Available in 12-, 18- and 24-month terms with a $50 minimum. You can add money at any time before maturity, in exchange for a slightly lower rate than the Standard CD.
- Special EasyStart CD. A 12-month promotional CD that opens with $50 and caps at $3,000. It requires a Navy Federal checking account with direct deposit, and any balance above $3,000 moves to savings at maturity.
Dividends on all three compound daily and are credited monthly. Each is also available as an IRA or Coverdell education savings account, subject to IRS contribution limits.
How Navy Federal compares
The table below ranks the highest 12-month rates among the banks and credit unions we track each week. It is a limited set, so a smaller institution may pay more.
| Rank | Bank | APY | Min deposit | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barclays | 4.25% APY | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 2 | Ally Bank | 4.00% APY | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 3 | Navy Federal Credit Union | 3.70% APY | $1,000 | Sep 17, 2026 |
| 4 | American Express National Bank | 3.50% APY | None | Aug 25, 2026 |
| 5 | U.S. Bank | 0.05% APY | $500 | Sep 17, 2026 |
Standard CD rates for a $25,000 balance. These are the highest rates among the institutions AnnuityJournal checks each week, not every bank in the country. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Verify the current rate with the bank.
Across all terms, these are the best rates currently available from the institutions we follow.
| Term | Top APY | National avg. | Bank | Min deposit | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-month | 2.70% APY | 1.14% APY | Ally Bank | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 6-month | 4.00% APY | 1.41% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 9-month | 4.15% APY | – | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 12-month | 4.25% APY | 1.71% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 18-month | 4.15% APY | – | Ally Bank | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 2-year | 4.35% APY | 1.57% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 3-year | 3.80% APY | 1.34% APY | Navy Federal Credit Union | $1,000 | Sep 17, 2026 |
| 4-year | 2.50% APY | 1.27% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 5-year | 4.25% APY | 1.36% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
Standard CD rates for a $25,000 balance, from each institution's own published rates. These are the highest among the institutions AnnuityJournal checks each week, not every bank in the country. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Verify the current rate with the bank. National average: the FDIC national rate for August 2026, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).
Navy Federal CD vs. a fixed annuity
A CD and a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) both lock in a rate for a fixed number of years. The differences are who guarantees the money, how the interest is taxed and what it costs to get out early.
| Product | Rate/APY | What $25,000 earns over 5 years | Guaranteed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| National average 5-year CD FDIC national rate, August 2026 | 1.36% APY | $1,747 | FDIC or NCUA insurance, up to $250,000 |
| Navy Federal Credit Union 5-year CD Standard rate, as of Sep 17, 2026 | 3.50% APY | $4,692 | NCUA insurance, up to $250,000 |
| 5-year MYGA: Knighthead Life Staysail 5 (Simple Interest) Top rate from carriers rated A- or better (AM Best A-) | 6.55% guaranteed | $8,188 | The issuing insurer and state guaranty associations |
| 5-year Treasury Par yield as of Sep 16, 2026 | 4.86% yield | $6,695 | The U.S. government |
MYGAs are not FDIC-insured; they are backed by the issuing insurer and state guaranty associations, up to state limits, and carry surrender charges for early withdrawals. Earnings are estimates before taxes: the rate compounded once a year over the term with interest left in the account (simple interest where noted). The national average and Treasury figures are treated the same way. A penalty may be imposed for early CD withdrawal. This comparison is educational, not a recommendation; verify every rate with the provider.
Taxes are often the deciding factor. CD earnings are taxed each year as they accrue, while annuity interest grows tax-deferred until it is withdrawn. For a closer look, see how MYGAs compare with Treasury bonds and today’s best MYGA rates.
Before you open a Navy Federal CD
- Eligibility. Only members can open an account, so confirm you qualify before comparing rates.
- Early withdrawal penalties. Navy Federal charges a penalty for withdrawals before maturity, set out in the table below.
- Insurance. Deposits are insured by the NCUA up to $250,000 per member, per ownership category, the credit union equivalent of FDIC coverage.
- Rate lock. Your rate is fixed for the full term, even if market rates fall. Savers who want a longer lock often weigh a CD against a fixed annuity.
| CD term | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1 year or less | 90 days of dividends |
| More than 1 year | 180 days of dividends |
| 5 years or more | 365 days of dividends |
The penalty is the lesser of the days shown or all dividends earned since the CD was opened or renewed.
Who Navy Federal CDs suit
Navy Federal CDs make the most sense for existing members, for savers who want to start small and add over time with an EasyStart, and for anyone with direct deposit who can use the Special EasyStart. Terms out to seven years also make them a practical fit for a CD ladder.
They are a weaker fit if you are not eligible for membership, may need the money before maturity, or are saving for five years or longer and would benefit from the tax deferral a MYGA offers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Navy Federal Credit Union's best CD rate right now?
Navy Federal Credit Union's highest CD rate we track is 4.00% APY on its 12-month Special EasyStart CD (a special rate), as of Sep 17, 2026. That's for a $25,000 balance. Rates change often, so confirm the current rate with Navy Federal Credit Union before opening an account.
When were these rates last checked?
AnnuityJournal last checked Navy Federal Credit Union's rates on Sep 17, 2026, directly from Navy Federal Credit Union's own rate page. We check once a week, and we stop showing any rate that hasn't been checked in 10 days.
Is a Navy Federal Credit Union CD better than a fixed annuity (MYGA)?
Over 7 years, Navy Federal Credit Union pays 3.50% APY on its CD, and the top 7-year MYGA we track pays 6.95% guaranteed (Knighthead Life). It depends on what you need. A CD is NCUA-insured up to $250,000 and you can reach the money early by paying a penalty. A MYGA is not FDIC-insured; it is backed by the issuing insurance company and state guaranty associations, carries surrender charges, and its interest grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it.
Who can join Navy Federal Credit Union?
Membership is open to the armed forces, Department of Defense employees, veterans and their families. You must be a member to open a CD.
Are Navy Federal CDs insured?
Yes. Navy Federal is insured by the NCUA, which covers deposits up to $250,000 per member, per ownership category. That coverage is backed by the U.S. government.
Can I add money to a Navy Federal CD?
Only to the EasyStart and Special EasyStart. The EasyStart accepts deposits at any time before maturity, and the Special EasyStart accepts them up to its $3,000 cap. The Standard CD is funded once, at opening.
Rates change without notice, so confirm current Navy Federal CD rates with the credit union before opening an account.